Potterless
by Mike Schubert
Join Mike Schubert, a grown man reading the Harry Potter series for the first time, as he sits down with HP fanatics to poke fun at plot holes, make painfully incorrect predictions, and bask in the sassiness of the characters. Schubes and his guests cover a portion of the Harry Potter franchise each week, taking you on a journey through your childhood, this time with the rose-tinted glasses off.Follow Potterless on Twitter (@PottterlessPod) and Instagram (@PotterlessPodcast), and learn more about the show at www.potterlesspodcast.com
Episodes
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Wizard Off! Charity Stream Announcement (Potterless 10-Year Anniversary)
On the 10th anniversary of Potterless’ first episode, I’m happy to announce #WizardOff, a charity live stream on Dec. 20, 2026 supporting Trans Lifeline. That author is causing harm to trans people across the globe, so let’s push back with some charitable fundraising that also serves as a way to...
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Ep. 213 - Durmstrang & the Other Wizarding Schools w/ Stanislav Yanevski AKA Viktor Krum!
Scubes was joined by literally Viktor Krum live on stage at LeakyCon Denver in October 2022 to deep dive on Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, and all the other magical schools in the Wizarding World! Stanislav Yanevski makes his Potterless debut and, to no surprise, is an absolute delight! Plus, the show...
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Ep. 212 - The Top 10 LEGO Harry Potter Characters w/ Meghan & Aurora Fruehauf (LIVE in Dallas!)
From our 10/9/22 live show in Dallas, it's a new episode of Potterless starring Mike, his sister, and his niece as they rank their favorite characters from the LEGO Harry Potter video game series! Topics include: gaming for work, 212, Guitarist, BTS’ form, Retro Radio, Dragomir Despard, Shifty...
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Ep. 211 - Wizard On! Bachelor Winter Games w/ Kelly Schubert (LIVE in PDX!)
Live from Portland, OR in September of 2022, it's Potterless! Schubes was joined live on stage by Bachelor franchise expert, Kelly Schubert, to run some Slytherins through the ultimate Winter dating game extravaganza! Topics include: Slytherin House, Millicent Bulstrode, skeleton/luge, faintfyre,...
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Ep. 210 - The Top 10 Ludo Bagman Fanfictions w/ Kim Harris (LIVE in Salt Lake City!)
From our live show in Salt Lake City on 9/11/22, it's a special fanfic episode of Potterless! Mike is joined by Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them's Kim Harris as they each break down their top 5 favorite Ludo Bagman fanfics. There are some absolutely absurd tales in this crop, and prepare...
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Ep. 209 - Wizard On! Survivor: Silver Linings w/ Kelly Schubert (LIVE in Philly!)
From our live show in Philly on 8/31/22, it's Potterless! Kelly, a Survivor expert, takes the stage with Mike to run another edition of this Survivor-inspired format, this time featuring contestants that are all second fiddles in various ways. Topics include: Survivor writer’s room, puzzles…
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Ep. 208 - What's the Funniest Moment in the Harry Potter Books? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in St. Louis!)
Live from St. Louis, it's Potterless! From their August 2022 live show, Schubes and Johnny are back at it with a bracket, this time to determine which moment from the HP books produced the most laughs. What will win? LISTEN TO FIND OUT! Topics include: Prom-posals, telegrams, Route 1, innit, gym...
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Ep. 207 - McGonagall/Percy Weasley Trading Places w/ Chris Rankin & Chanel Williams
Live from LeakyCon Orlando 2022, it's Potterless Live! Schubes is joined by Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films) and Chanel Williams (McGonagall TikTok impressionist) to see what situations would be like if Percy Weasley was in McGonagall's shoes and vice versa! Topics include:...
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Ep. 206 - What's the Best Harry Potter Quote? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in Atlanta!)
We're back with another bracket! This audio is from the March 2022 Atlanta live show where Schubes and Johnny use their foolproof system to determine the best book quote from the Harry Potter series. Topics include: ATL traffic, Spring Splendor, career-enders, Sean Kingston, he looming Heat, Liam...
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Ep. 205 - Wizard On Survivor: New Jersey Edition w/Eric Hamilton Schneider (LIVE in Asbury Park!)
Mike Schubert returns to his homeland of New Jersey with Eric Hamilton Schneider to play out an improvised game of Wizard On Survivor where it's all NJ-themed! Topics include: gas stations, Aunt Judy, Hans Gruber, torch, Asbury Park, Central Jersey, pork roll, West Windsor, lightbulb, challenge...
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Ep. 204 - Why Hermion-Three is Better than Time Turners & How Ludo Could’ve Been a Great Villain (LIVE in Milwaukee!)
From the Milwaukee live show on June 20, 2022, it’s a different spin on Potterless. In this show, Schubes give two comedic TED Talks (FRED Talks) about 1) why his theory about what was going on in Prisoner of Azkaban was better than the actual reveal and 2) how Ludo Bagman actually could’ve been…
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Ep. 203 - What's the Best Wizarding Food/Drink? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in Nashville!)
Live from Nashville on 3/3/22, Mike and Johnny are back with another bracket and holy moly is this timely since we recorded this in March AND NOW I'M RELEASING IT THE FOLLOWING MARCH! Bracket season, BAYBEE. Come hear these two nerds determine the best food in all of Harry Potter with the help of...
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Ep. 202 - The Hangry Games (HP Battle Royale) w/ Eric Scull (LIVE in Chicago!)
Live from Chicago on 6/19/22, Schubes is joined by Mugglecast's Eric Scull to take your favorite HP characters and put them through a Hunger Games-style tournament to see who reigns supreme! It's a wonderfully goofy time. Topics include: Malort, Father’s Day, Stanley Tucci, theatrics, PS1 Hagrid,...
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Ep. 201 - The HP Reality TV Show Gauntlet w/ Brandon Grugle & Lauren Shippen (LIVE in Seattle!)
Live from Seattle on 4/21/22, it’s Potterless! Schubes was joined by Brandon Grugle and Lauren Shippen in his old stomping grounds of Seattle to take 11 Harry Potter characters and have them compete in a slew of competition reality tv shows. See who comes out on top! Topics include: West Seattle...
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Ep. 200 - What the Heck is the Plot of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Years 5B-6A? w/ Grant Raun (LIVE in PHX!)
From Phoenix, AZ on 5/18/22, it's Potterless live! Schubes is joined by Grant Raun (@grantraun) to cover another wild portion of the infamous HP mobile game, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. They finish up Year 5 and begin talking about Year 6! Topics include: Old tweets, bluemoongame.com…
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Ep. 199 - What’s the Best Harry Potter Action Scene? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in D.C.!)
Live from the Washington D.C. in March of 2022, it’s Potterless! Schubes and Johnny are back and doing another bracket (timely, eh?), this time to determine which HP book action scene reigns supreme! Topics include: license plates, open caskets, cherry blossoms, trampolines, Amber Alerts, 24…
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Ep. 198 - What is the Best Wizarding Store? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in Philly!)
SURPRISE! Another live show episode, this time from our 8/30/21 live show in Philadelphia, PA! Mike and Johnny took the stage to determine what is the best place to buy things in the Wizarding World. It's a hoot and a half and it took place on the day the final weekly episode of Potterless went...
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Ep. 197 - What is the Best Magical Item w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in Chicago!)
Recorded on 8/19/21 in Chicago, IL… it’s Potterless Live! Schubes and Johnny are back with another bracket, this time to determine which magical item from the Harry Potter universe reigns supreme. Topics include: The World Series of Poker, Charizard, flash drives, almond milk, Jewel, Wizarding...
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Ep. 196 - What is the Best Harry Potter Spell? w/ Johnny Frohlichstein (LIVE in Grand Rapids!)
Is your March Madness bracket busted? Well, fear not, because we've got a better bracket for you! From our live show in Grand Rapids, MI in August 2021, Johnny and Schubes determine which Wizarding World spell is the best with another foolproof bracket! Topics include: Tickle types, McG & Ginny,...
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Ep. 195 - Harry Potter and the Missing Therapist w/ NAMI-OC's Amanda Wilson
Hello! This is edited audio from the NAMI-OC Happy Hour, Harry Potter and the Missing Therapist, on 8/24/21. The folks at NAMI-OC were kind enough to ask Mike to be a part of their Happy Hour series, and Amanda Wilson led a lovely discussion with Schubes about the good, bad, and in-between of…
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Ep. 194 - What the Heck is the Plot of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Years 4-5A? w/ Jordan Edwards (LIVE from Columbus!)
Schubes is joined live in Ohio by Jordan Edwards of Mischief Management to continue recapping the story of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery. Things start to get weird as they make their way into year 5, so be prepared for the plot to eventually go off the rails. Topics include: OG Cursed Vault, the...
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Ep. 193 - What the Heck is the Plot of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery Years 1-3? (LIVE in Pittsburgh!)
In the first ever episode that is both Potterless and guest-less, Schubes took the stage live in Pittsburgh, PA in August of 2021 seeking to determine what the heck is going on with the most notorious Harry Potter mobile game. He made... progress? Topics include: Grapefruits, Two-do Bagman, life…
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Ep. 192 - Who is the Best Non-Human Harry Potter Character? (w/ Jackson Bird, Live in NYC!)
Live from City Winery in NYC, it's Potterless! Jackson Bird joins Schubes to determine the best non-human HP character via a bracket. Topics include: Pimp My Ride, BuzzFeed listicles, #AllVibes, Trevor fanfic, Legends of the Hidden Temple, Fluffy’s future, youfellasleepwatchingadvd.com…
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INTRODUCING: The Newest Olympian Episode 1 (Mike's new Percy Jackson podcast!)
Hey remember how I mentioned I was making a podcast about Percy Jackson and the Olympians? Well, here's episode 1! You can subscribe and listen to all future episodes by searching "The Newest Olympian" wherever you get your podcasts, or you can go to https://www.thenewestolympian.com! POTTERLESS...
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Ep. 191 - Potterless: A Look Back w/ Kelly Schubert, Dottie James, and Johnny Frohlichstein
Schubes chats with some of the most important folks in Potterless' history as we take one last look back before stopping weekly episodes of Potterless and starting his new journey covering Percy Jackson on The Newest Olympian! Topics include love, joy, happiness, kindness, memories, fondness,...
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Ep. 190 - 2 Listener 2 Fan Theories w/ Chanel Williams
TikTok's resident queen of the McGonagall impression, Chanel Williams, joins Schubes to discuss more fan theories from Potterless listeners! Topics include: Cringey TikToks, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Hermione’s parents, horse handedness, Ben Simmons, Ted Lasso, McG’s motivations, Leo McGary,...
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Ep. 189 - Listener Fan Theories w/ Super Carlin Brothers
The Super Carlin Brothers, masters of HP fan theories, discuss with Mike fan theories submitted by Potterless listeners! Topics include: drawing JK’s ire, Harold Potter, SCB’s greatest hits, Filch & Mrs. Norris, Santa, Book of Admittance and Quill of Acceptance, Cornelius Fudge’s crush, implied...
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Ep. 188 - Representation Shortcomings in Harry Potter (Part 2) w/ Delia Gallegos & Michael Harle
Delia (@deliaistyping) and Michael (@Lupinpatronus) return to continue our discussion about elements of diversity that fell flat in Harry Potter! Topics include: being beautiful, white voice, Bart Simpson, Lupin, vampires, Fenrir, “You’re welcome, GAYS.” queercoding, pink pants, queerbaiting,...
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Ep. 187 - Representation Shortcomings in Harry Potter (Part 1) w/ Delia Gallegos & Michael Harle
Delia Gallegos (@deliaistyping) & Michael Harle (@Lupinpatronus) explain some of the areas in which the Harry Potter series fell short in terms of representation through the use of stereotypes and imperfect metaphors. Topics include: secret conventions, Dean’s absentee father, redlining, Cho’s...
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Ep. 186 - Harry Potter Video Games w/ Hannah Twigg & Charlie Joe Ward
The Goblet of Wine x Potterless crossover is finally here as we discuss the main series of Harry Potter video games, plus one surprising addition! Topics include: wimpy gamers, Spyro, PS1 Hagrid, hammer throwing gnomes, Flipendo, bonus bean room, evil washing machines, Stephen Fry, Eye Toy,...
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Ep. 185 - Popular Harry Potter Fan Theories w/ Vanessa Zoltan
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text co-host Vanessa Zoltan returns to talk about the most famous/infamous Harry Potter fan theories! Topics include: Disney villain prequels, Beowulf, the terrible Dursleys, Dumbledore’s affair, The Bottlecap Game, Pet Watch 2021, The TJ Maxx of souls, Macklemore,...
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Ep. 184 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (Part 2) w/ Micah Tannenbaum
Micah is back and joins Schubes to close the book on our Lego Harry Potter episodes of Potterless! Topics include: Bob Ogden cosplay, chugging milkshakes, Cormac’s love language, trial by fire, LEGO three stooges, Ocean’s 11, the evil hand, The Exorcist, Book Ginny, Monster’s Inc., improved...
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Ep. 183 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (Part 1) w/ Micah Tannenbaum
MuggleCast's Micah Tannenbaum, enters the fray to kick off our coverage of Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7! Topics include: Suit Voldemort, sleeping in class, improved LEGO hair, turning things into ducks, big beauty marks, LEGO balding, Yu-Gi-Oh, improving canon, Back to the Future, adding levity,...
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Ep. 182 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Part 2) w/ Eric Scull
Eric Scull of MuggleCast is back and he chats with Schubes about Years 2-4 of Lego Harry Potter! Topics include: carrot wands, MLB The Show, LEGO Creator, LEGO Island, Jigglypuff, Crash Bandicoot, Michael Jordan, Kevin from The Office, underrated Pomfrey, redhead representation, drumstick to the...
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Ep. 181 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (Part 1) w/ Eric Scull
Mugglecast's Eric Scull returns to Potterless to discuss what he feels is the best of all the Harry Potter video games: Lego Harry Potter Years 1-4! Topics include: starter video games, Mike’s type, Brickset, Jumanji, NBA Phantom Cam, butt wiggles, lego hair, Blue Ska-Doo, portrait interaction,...
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Ep. 180 - Wizard People, Dear Reader (Part 4) w/ Johnny Frohlichstein
Johnny returns to close the book on Potterless' coverage of Wizard People, Dear Reader! Topics include: wizarding county fair, Dracula, Free-For-All of Facts, Crumbs & Carrots, Petrificus Totalus rules, bank holidays, the Famous Chess Board of Ragnarok, fart reactions, Chess Corner, schnapps,...
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Ep. 179 - Wizard People, Dear Reader (Part 3) w/ Johnny Frohlichstein
We've had a newbie, now enter a WPDR expert, Johnny Frohlichstein, to carry the guest torch! Topics include: Jackie O’s, bachelor pad, disheveled Einstein, chest cellos, spades, Zooboomafoo, Nicolas age, Kite On, G-List Celebrity, Blockbuster, warbles, fun house mirrors, Us, and more! POTTERLESS...
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Ep. 178 - Wizard People, Dear Reader (Part 2) w/ Brandon Grugle
Brandon Grugle (@BrandonGrugle) is back and is ready to keep the ball rolling on Potterless' coverage of Wizard People, Dear Reader! Topics include: cereal adventures, Helsinki Syndrome, middle school dating, Wheel of Fortune/Fate, Brandon Dice, The McElroys, Dazzler, Oogy Boogy, Words With...
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Ep. 177 - Wizard People, Dear Reader (Part 1) w/ Brandon Grugle
Brandon Grugle is back and brings a fresh perspective to something Mike is incredibly well-versed in: Wizard People, Dear Reader! Topics include: Star Wars being chill, contrived writing, Dailymotion, Hardcastle & McCormac, dik-diks, dicks dot com, equine afficionada, Tulip Watch, Love Shack,...
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Ep. 176 - An Interview with Oliver & James Phelps (Fred & George in the Films)
James & Oliver Phelps (Fred & George Weasley in the Harry Potter films, co-hosts of Normal Not Normal) sit down with Schubes to talk about twin life, their HP experience, beating Tom Felton in golf, and more! Topics include: monocles, being twins, football hatred, The Super League, ignoring...
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Ep. 175 - My Immortal (Part 5) w/ Sequoia Simone & Kim Harris
Kim and Sequoia are back to close the book on our My Immortal coverage, and we go out with a bang via LIVE READING OF THE FINAL CHAPTERS. Topics include: Cornelio Fuck, MySpace friendship quizzes, Quizilla, Spider-Man 3 thief, Ms. Lauryn Hill, stage left of shirt, Dookie, Tearing’ Up My Heart…
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Ep. 174 - My Immortal (Part 4) w/ Sequoia Simone & Kim Harris
Kim and Sequoia from Fanatical Fics are back to talk about the twists in these chapter of My Immortal, including TIME TRAVEL because OF COURSE THIS STORY HAS TIME TRAVEL. Topics include: no more rails, My Immortal dramaturge, Britney: a state of being, “STOP LISTENING!”, Hogwarts Improv Team…
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Ep. 173 - My Immortal (Part 3) w/ Sequoia Simone & Kim Harris
Kim and Sequoia from Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them are back again, and somehow... some way... My Immortal gets MORE gothic in these chapters. Topics include: Shakespeare, sex packs, Chad Michael Murray, panoramic flip offs, Hogwarts Street Team, Voldemort and the Death Dealers, Memento,...
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Ep. 172 - My Immortal (Part 2) w/ Sequoia Simone & Kim Harris
Sequoia Simone and Kim Harris from Fanatical Fics are back and we get our first taste of the truly bizarre moments in My Immortal. Topics include: selling in, Count Chocula, Salt Bae, Bloody Mary, black pudding, Mortal Kombat, “Crookshanks, GO!”, Schubes Schubert, masticating, Pop Goes Punk,...
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Ep. 171 - My Immortal (Part 1) w/ Sequoia Simone & Kim Harris
Kim and Sequoia from Fanatical Fics and Where to Find Them lend their fanfiction expertise to help Schubes fully grasp the absurdity that is My Immortal, the most infamous fanfic. Topics include: Picasso’s Blue period, earnest parody, spelling errors, Evanescence, MySpace Energy, Mike’s prep…
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Ep. 170 - Hi!!! An Interview with the Puffs Ensemble w/ Madeline Bundy, James Fouhey, Eleanor Phillips, and Stephen Stout
In our final Puffs interview, Schubes chats with the cast members who specifically played multiple roles that were wildly different from each other. The actors talk about their process and share incredible Puffs stories! Topics include: freeing villainy, limp Irish genetics, the most beautiful...
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Ep. 169 - Crimes of Grindelwald (Part 4) w/ Dottie James
Oh you thought this movie was bad so far? WE'RE AT THE PART WHERE EVERYTHING GOES OFF THE RAILS. NOTHING CAN PREPARE YOU FOR THESE SHENANIGANS. Topics include: birthdays, Yes and/No but, Leta destroying your puzzle, The Titanic, misogynistic family trees, The Lizzie McGuire movie, the pink...
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Ep. 168 - Crimes of Grindelwald (Part 3) w/ Dottie James
Dottie James (@DotttieJames) lends her writing expertise to pick up the torch and further analyze Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald! Topics include: Hedwig’s theme on cocaine, Leonardo Dicaprio meme, the boggart lesson, The West Wing, The Frenchwoman, Black Panther, The Mirror of...
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Ep. 167 - Crimes of Grindelwald (Part 2) w/ Bayana Davis & Robyn Jordan
#WizardTeam's Robyn and Bayana return to discuss more of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald! Topics include: Kingdom Hearts, Jude Law can rock a robe, Game of Thrones, fan service, racism int he movie, worshipping evil schemes, Nightcrawler, Raybarer, disappointed...
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Ep. 166 - Crimes of Grindelwald (Part 1) w/ Bayana Davis & Robyn Jordan
Robyn and Bayana from Black Girls Create make their Potterless return to discuss the second Fantastic Beasts movie: The Crimes fo Grindelwald. OH BOY, IT'S TIME. Topics include: Jay Z, Rick Riordan, AMOM, Con-Air, Peter PettigNEW, Food Network, Dr. Seuss vacuums, the Star Wars Cantina scene,...
About this show
Join Mike Schubert, a grown man reading the Harry Potter series for the first time, as he sits down with HP fanatics to poke fun at plot holes, make painfully incorrect predictions, and bask in the sassiness of the characters. Schubes and his guests cover a portion of the Harry Potter franchise each week, taking you on a journey through your childhood, this time with the rose-tinted glasses off.Follow Potterless on Twitter (@PottterlessPod) and Instagram (@PotterlessPodcast), and learn more about the show at www.potterlesspodcast.com
Hosted by
Mike Schubert